Best renters insurance companies in California

When choosing the best renters insurance company in California, make sure you’re comparing on more than just price. We’ve compared quotes, coverage options and J.D. Power scores from all the major insurers in California. Below is our list of best renters insurance companies in California based on that analysis, with our score out of five. Note that USAA only offers coverage to military families.

CompanyAverage rating(out of 5)
State Farm4
Travelers4
Allstate3.5
Farmers3.5
USAA3.5
Nationwide2.5

Compare the best renters insurance companies in California

Comparing quotes from multiple insurance carriers is one way to ensure you will get your money’s worth. There can be big differences in price between different renters insurance providers, so it pays to shop around. Ensure you buy from a company offering affordable renters insurance and consistent customer service.

To simplify your task, we have compared the carriers for California residents based on their average rates and ratings from J.D. Power. Among the carriers surveyed, State Farm is the best renters insurance company in California. It earned 844 out of 1000 from J.D. Power and has an average renters insurance rate of $202.

The table below offers a detailed comparison of renters insurance companies in California.

CompanyJ.D. Power ScoreAverage Annual PremiumAM Best Ratings
State Farm844$202A++
Travelers835$199A++
Farmers842$232A
USAA894$195A++
Allstate835$255A+
Nationwide852$580A+

How much is renters insurance in California

California residents pay an average of $257 a year for renters insurance, and the average monthly cost is $21. That’s for a policy with personal property coverage of $40,000, liability coverage of $100,000, and a deductible of $1,000.

What you pay for renters insurance will not be the same as a neighbor’s price because it depends on factors specific to each person: the property you want to insure, extra coverage options you add, and the deductible amount you choose.

“The number one thing that’s most important is to get good liability. A renter’s policy will default to $100,000 liability,” Josiah Hatch, an insurance pro with Bender Hatch Insurance in Boston, said. “It costs next to nothing to go from $100,000 to $500,000. I want to say it’s probably 10 bucks a year. It’s really cheap to get a lot of extra coverage. I always recommend getting the most liability you can because that’s, at its core, what insurance is all about: the worst-case scenario.”

Average Annual PremiumAverage Monthly Premium
$257$21

Most expensive ZIP codes in California for renters insurance

Several factors affect your renters insurance coverage cost in California, including your location and the coverage you buy. The most expensive ZIP code in California for renters insurance is 94621, where the average annual rate is $370 which is $113 more than the state average insurance premium.

The following table lists the most expensive ZIP codes in California for renters insurance.

ZIP codeAverage Annual Rate
94621$370
94601$365
94606$361
94609$359
94619$358
94612$357
94608$356
94705$355
94710$354
94615$353

Least expensive ZIP codes in California for renters insurance

Renters insurance rates in California are cheaper in some areas. Based on a rate analysis by Insurance.com, the least expensive ZIP code for renters insurance in California is 93449, and its average annual rate is $180.

Below, you’ll find the least expensive ZIP codes for renters insurance, along with their average annual rates.

ZIP codeAverage Annual Rate
93449$180
93424$181
93444$182
93428$183
93458$184
93429$186
93440$187
93427$188
93422$190
93446$191

Compare renters insurance rates by city in California

Renters insurance rates vary significantly across cities, influenced by various factors, including weather patterns, crime rates, and property values. You must consider these factors and compare quotes from different insurers to get the best deal on renters insurance for your specific city in California.

CityAnnual insurance premium
Anaheim
$230
Bakersfield
$239
Fresno
$257
Long Beach
$262
Los Angeles
$310
Oakland
$358
Sacramento
$273
San Diego
$209
San Francisco
$303
San Jose
$295

Cheap renters insurance in California by company

There are a lot of companies offering renters insurance in California. Among the carriers surveyed by Insurance.com, Mercury Insurance is the cheapest renters insurance company in California; its average annual premium is $156.

Renters insurance prices can vary drastically between companies. That’s why it is important to compare rates and see which company offers the best deal to get coverage at an affordable price.

Below are the best cheap renters insurance companies in California and their average annual premiums.

Company NameAverage Annual Premium
Mercury Insurance$156
Auto Club Enterprises (AAA)$183
CSAA Insurance (AAA)$194
USAA$195
Travelers$199
State Farm$202
Farmers$232
Allstate$255
Nationwide$580

Insurance.com compared renters insurance rates in 2022 provided by Quadrant Data Solutions for $40,000 personal property coverage with a $1,000 deductible and $100,000 liability coverage for all available ZIP codes based on a renter with good credit. Content was updated in 2023.

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